I want a pet : Adoption Success Stories
Submit your happy ending story to [email protected]. You may see it on this page or published in our quarterly magazine, Chronicles!
Sophia Marie: A Very Special Pup
For six months, Seattle Humane Society staff and volunteers had become all too familiar with hearing the name “Sophia Marie!” called out from one of our offices, followed by an adorable Shih Tzu mix racing happily down the hallway.
Sophia Marie was surrendered to our shelter with congenital hydrocephalus when she was just three weeks of age. Hydrocephalus is a medical condition caused by excessive fluid inside the skull which leads to brain swelling. As a result, Sophia Marie staggers and circles when she walks. Most shelters wouldn’t have given Sophia Marie a chance — but we knew that she just needed time to meet her special someone.
Just like any puppy, Sophia enjoys romping, playing, and meeting new friends. While we searched for her new family, she did just that in a loving foster home. After half a year of watching Sophia Marie grow, we’re thrilled to announce that she was adopted by an adoring couple who write, “We genuinely love her. All of our neighbors know Sophia and call out to her whenever they see her. I think she’s very happy. I know we are.”
Two of a Kind
Zelda, an 8-year-old tortoiseshell kitty, was found as a stray and brought to Seattle Humane. A mild-mannered kitty, Zelda was passed up for younger cats for more than two years. When she needed a break, Zelda was able to stretch her legs as a foster pet in one of our offices.
A sensitive sort, Zelda felt nervous around new people and nestled in her blankets when potential adopters came to visit her. Each one decided to adopt a different kitty and said that while Zelda was perfectly sweet, she just wasn’t the right match for them.
That changed when a teenage boy in search of a pet came to meet Zelda with his mother. A bit shy himself, he fell for Zelda instantly. Just to be sure, they visited other kitties but the teenage boy kept returning to Zelda. She didn’t cuddle right away — but he could see in her what no one else could, and his family adopted her. Her adopters write, “Zelda has finally found a family and more importantly, a boy who really loves her and is taking good care of her.”
Dandelion's Story
Dandelion, an adult short hair bunny, was found abandoned in a store parking lot, scared and alone. A Good Samaritan brought her to safety at the Seattle Humane Society because he knew that we would give her the care she needed.
Bunnies make wonderful family pets and live long, happy lives with proper care and diet. During her intake exam, it became apparent to our veterinary team that Dandelion’s health had been neglected by her previous owners. Because she had not received a proper bunny diet, her urine had become very acidic and caused a series of burns all over her fur.
Dandelion received the extra care and attention she needed in a loving volunteer foster home. With plenty of vegetables, Timothy hay, pellets, and fresh water, Dandelion began to feel more like herself. Her beautiful, soft fur grew back in and she was adopted by a true bunny-loving family two months later.
Mattie Meets Her Match
Mattie, a 14-year-old Australian Shepherd mix, was surrendered to the Seattle Humane Society when her owners could no longer give her the care she needed. For nearly one year we diligently searched for the right home for Mattie. With one blue eye and one brown, and a gorgeous spotted coat, Mattie’s good looks attracted lots of attention, but she was passed over for younger pets time and time again.
We are so happy to share that this fall, Mattie finally met her match. She was adopted by an adoring woman who writes, “After I lost two of my four-legged friends earlier this year… I came to the decision that because I’m a senior citizen, I would adopt senior citizen dogs for as many years as I could. When you adopt an older dog you don’t have to train them; they have usually mellowed with age and they just want to be loved and cared for. Seattle Humane’s staff treated me very well and my promise to all of you is that I will take care of Mattie forever.”
Grinstein Fund for Cats: Mineli’s Story
Mineli, a 5-year-old tuxedo kitty, was surrendered to Seattle Humane when her owners could not afford to give her the medical care she needed. Upon examination our veterinary staff discovered that Mineli was hurt; her jaw was broken and needed to be repaired right away.
Thanks to the Keith D. Grinstein Fund for cats, we don’t turn away kitties like Mineli who need a little extra help to be adoptable. We performed surgery immediately, putting a wire in place to repair Mineli’s jaw. She recovered well and the wire was eventually removed, leaving Mineli a happy and healthy kitty. She was adopted just three months later and is now part of a happy home of her own.
Make a donation to the Grinstein fund for shelter cats today and help us continue to give good cats like Mineli a second chance. Please write “Grinstein” on your check or visit seattlehumane.org for more information.